Property Description
Property Summary
You will stay at Villa Romantica, a beautiful vacation rental located in the lakeshore village of Baveno, Italy, offering splendid views of the famous Lago Maggiore's Borromeo Golf. This historic property was built in the 17th century on an ancient monastery and features a unique 17th-century Andalusian patio. The villa accommodates up to 16 guests across the Main Villa sleeping 12 people and the Guesthouse accommodating 4 people, totaling 760 square meters for the Main Villa and 160 square meters for the 2 dependences. You will enjoy a magnificent terraced garden spanning 1.5 hectares, designed in the twenties by Maurice Blondel, complete with a water garden, rose garden, and arboretum. The property offers a private swimming pool measuring 16 x 4 x 1.40 meters, spacious yard areas, internet wifi coverage throughout the house and courtyard, and private parking facilities. Set just an hour's drive from Milan and within walking distance to shops and the main boulevard along Baveno's lake promenade, this in-town property combines historic charm with modern comfort. All living areas feature spacious rooms with high ceilings and large panoramic windows, furnished with a mix of modern design and antiques that have belonged to the owner's family for hundreds of years. Please note that Villa Romantica is not suitable for people with walking difficulties, and the local train passes 250 meters from the property downhill, separated by other properties, trees, and bushes.
Outdoors
You will discover the magnificent terraced garden that surrounds the property, offering distinct outdoor spaces and breathtaking views. Descending the garden path, you will reach the swimming pool, which is not fenced and features an external shower nearby for your convenience. The extensive outdoor areas include a beautiful water garden, a fragrant rose garden, and an impressive arboretum showcasing diverse plant species. The garden design, created by Maurice Blondel in the twenties, provides multiple terraced levels for relaxation and exploration across its 1.5-hectare expanse. You will find ample outdoor space with 2 garden areas of 200 square meters each associated with the ground floor dependence and first floor apartment. The historic Andalusian patio dating back to the 17th century offers a unique outdoor architectural feature where you can gather and enjoy the Mediterranean-inspired atmosphere. Throughout the outdoor spaces, you will appreciate the combination of historic garden design and natural beauty while taking in the splendid views of Lago Maggiore's Borromeo Golf.
Other Information
The property offers wifi coverage throughout the Main Villa, both dependences, and the courtyard area, ensuring you remain connected during your stay. Private parking facilities are available on the property grounds for your convenience. Please be aware that the local train line runs 250 meters from the villa, positioned downhill and separated by other properties, trees, and bushes, which may produce some background noise. The property is not suitable for guests with walking difficulties due to its terraced garden layout and architectural features. The villa's historic nature and antique furnishings reflect centuries of family ownership, creating an authentic atmosphere throughout your stay.
Distances and Attractions
You will find Villa Romantica perfectly positioned in the charming lakeshore village of Baveno, offering easy access to both natural beauty and urban conveniences. The property sits within walking distance of local shops and the main boulevard along Baveno's scenic lake promenade, where you can stroll and enjoy views of Lago Maggiore. Milan is located approximately an hour's drive from the villa, providing convenient access to the city's cultural attractions, shopping districts, and international airport. From the property, you will enjoy direct views of the famous Borromeo Golf on Lago Maggiore, one of the region's most celebrated landmarks. The in-town location allows you to explore Baveno's restaurants, cafes, and local attractions while enjoying the tranquility of the historic villa and its extensive gardens.
Outdoor
The garden was designed by Maurice Blondel (1861 - 1949) – a Catholic positivist French thinker author of the “Philosophy of Action” who bought the villa after the First World War and created a unique piece of art.
It is fully fenced and rich in wonderful centuries-old plants. This very special garden features three distinct styles each characterized with different flora and vegetation: the formal Italian box garden, the English rose garden, and Japanese water garden all around are peonies azaleas, camellias, and valuable trees, including Japanese maples, cedars, chestnuts, and a spectacular camphor tree.
Thanks to the owner’s restoration the enchantment of Blondel garden has been preserved.
Interior Description
Unit Layout
You will find this expansive property encompasses a Main Villa and a Guesthouse, offering accommodation for up to 16 guests across 8 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms. The Main Villa spans 3 floors and features 6 bedrooms organized into 3 distinct sleeping areas, each sharing a bathroom. On the ground floor, you enter through an entrance hall leading to a living room with access to the garden and Andalusian patio, a spacious fully equipped kitchen with a table for 6 people, an Andalusian courtyard with tables for 14 to 16 people, and a toilet room with WC and 2 washbasins. The second floor presents bedroom area A with a master bedroom offering lake views and ceiling fan, plus a twin bedroom accessed by the patio, sharing bathroom A equipped with tub and handle shower accessible directly from both rooms. This floor also includes a sitting room and bedroom area B comprising a twin or double bedroom with lake view where beds can be pushed together, and a unique twin or double bedroom with study room featuring 2 levels with desk, television, and printer, with the twin or double bed positioned in the loft upstairs and ceiling fan. Bathroom B with shower serves this area. The third floor houses bedroom area C with a double bedroom offering lake view and terrace access, a twin or double bedroom with lake view and terrace access that can only be entered from the terrace or through the other bedroom, and bathroom C with shower accessible only through the twin bedroom. The Guesthouse develops on 2 levels with 2 apartments of approximately 80 square meters each, adding 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The ground floor unit offers a living area with sofa and kitchenette, twin bedroom where beds cannot be pushed together, and bathroom with shower. The upper floor unit provides a lake view living area with sofa and kitchenette, double bedroom, and bathroom with tub and handle shower. Please note the property is not suitable for people with walking difficulties, and the kitchens in each guesthouse apartment are not available for cooking as all kitchen equipment has been intentionally removed, though fridges can be used for cold beverages and ice.
Amenities Included
During your vacation you will enjoy comprehensive amenities throughout the property. The Main Villa kitchen on the ground floor features a 6-burner stove, electric oven, large fridge with freezer and ice maker, dishwasher, coffee maker, toaster, and grill. A washing machine is located in the laundry accessed from the patio on the ground floor, and each guesthouse apartment includes a washing machine as well. The ground floor unit and upper floor unit of the guesthouse each contain a dishwasher in their kitchenettes. Entertainment options include a television with Sky in the living room, an iPod player, stereo, one PlayStation, and an additional television with printer in the second floor study room. Heat is available throughout the property, with ceiling fans provided in the master bedroom and one second floor bedroom, plus a fan in every bedroom. A hairdryer is provided in every bedroom. The outdoor spaces offer a private patio in the form of the spacious Andalusian courtyard, a private garden spanning 1.5 hectares designed in the twenties by Maurice Blondel with 200 square meters accessible from the ground floor apartment or dependence and 200 square meters from the first floor apartment, and a barbecue for outdoor dining. The guesthouse features a beautiful outdoor private area. Wi-Fi coverage extends across the house, the two dependences, and the courtyard. Please note that fireplaces are decorative and not working, and the villa has no air conditioning but the combination between thick walls and shadow of centuries-old trees in the surrounding garden keeps the air temperature inside very pleasant.
Other Information
The total property comprises 760 square meters for the house villa and dependence, with each dependence measuring 80 square meters for a total of 160 square meters, and a garden of 1.5 hectares. Please be advised that a local train passes 250 meters from the property, downhill and separated by other properties, trees, and bushes. The interiors are bright and nicely furnished. The very nice and well-behaved caretaker lives on the top floor of the property in a separated unit with an independent entrance. The Main Villa and the Guesthouse cannot be rented by different groups, as the guesthouse will be rented only together with the main villa. Occasionally the very discreet owner and his wife will use one of the units, and in this case a small part of the garden in front of the guesthouse will not be accessible. Please note that the staff has access to the laundry on the ground floor.
Licence or registration number:
CIN: IT103008C15DNAZYFK
